Bird-Watching

The birds have come back from their long vacation to the south in search of a warm clime amid the winter coldness. They've come once again to frolic in the warm spring and summer sunshine.

Here in Umeå, nature reserves for bird-watchers abound throughout the city. Some ornithologists and bird enthusiasts visit such sites to check on the different kinds of birds and, of course, take pictures. Since I'm also a bird lover, I, along with my hubby, sometimes take a short trip to some of such nature reserves. At times, even though we may not be able to spot the most sought-after birds because we don't stay long enough to wait for them to appear, at least the beauty and serenity of the area are pleasurable to the soul that finds its kinship with nature.

Here are three of the protected areas for birds within the city that we have looked around.

Several kinds of birds can also be found in the open fields. Sometimes, flocks of birds, like the gulls, cover a wide tract of field while foraging for foods. 

We spotted these birds along the way while driving around the countryside.

Here's also a couple of swans that we have seen while passing by this lake.

Looking at these birds always fortifies my conviction that we are very precious in God's eyes and that he will never fail to provide for our material needs as long as we put him first in our lives. Certainly, we are well-taken care of!

"Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still YOUR heavenly Father feeds them. Are YOU not worth more than they are?" 

- Matthew 6:26